15" Series 9 NP900X4D discussion

Last night I was looking more closely at the NP900X4D on the Samsung USA website. The price was bothering me.

See Series 9 15” Notebook (NP900X4D-A01US) | Samsung Notebooks for the A01 and Series 9 15” Notebook (NP900X4D-A02US) | Samsung Notebooks for the A02.

Both of the current USA distributors/retailers has a higher price than what is listed at the Samsung site. Then I noticed one potential reason. They have a three year warranty listed.

Here's the 4D. Nice looking, eh?

 

Also, I believe the X4D is magnesium alloy which might be a more expensive (and slightly less dense) metal than aluminum. We can't be sure about other differences until someone here has got one in their hands.

John

 

This version seems to be exactly the one I’ve been waiting for; I just need confirmation of one thing… Does anybody know of the screen quality compared to that of NP900X4B-A02US? I went to see that laptop on display at a local store and I was truly stunned to see how Samsung had put on such a beautiful laptop such a worthless horrific screen! The viewing angles were very very bad. The screen on NP900X3B-A01US (13inch), which was on display right next to it, was actually pretty decent. Why would Samsung do that to the 15 inch version puzzles me.

 

Oh no... I like it.

 

I ordered an X4D last week - Supposed to be shipped on 7/9. I was hoping against hope the screen might have been improved. The rest of the improvements seem great - 256Gb SSD, 3 Yr warranty, W7 Pro, Magnesium case.

I hope the SDD is Samsung.

 

Notebooks can be addicting. Or so I hear.

 

@ CalmSeasQuest. Please keep us updated on the screen quality and such once you get the product. If you don't mind me asking, where did you order yours from?

 

I purchased through CDW. There's nothing to suggest the screen was changed, but fingers crossed.

 

Actually the opposite is true. In Samsung's web site the screen brightness of the new version is listed as 400 nits SuperBright™ Plus Technology where the NP900X4B version has the screen brightness listed as "340 nit", nothing else. So there's a definite change in the screen. For sure we know it got brighter so that's a good thing.

 

I missed that - Now I'm optimistic. It seems everyone liked the 400 nit screen on the 3X

 

Samsung's specs for the NP900X4C-A01US also say 400 nit.

I will be interested to know if there is any drop in weight due to the magnesium alloy and no paint. My X4C is 1.65kg (3.64lb).

John

 

That's what I initially noticed that lead me to believe there had not been a screen change. It seems very strange they would put an inferior panel on their Flagship model. Samsung claims the X4D weighs 3.63 Lbs.

I sent the following inquiry to Samsung - I'll post whatever reply is received...

We have ordered a NP900X4D-A02US to evaluate. I am however concerned about complaints regarding the screen. Can you please confirm if the monitor used on the X4D has been changed (improved) over the X4C model? Can you also confirm the make and model of the SSD utilized?

I am hopeful that Samsung has used the highest quality screen available for the business version of the Flagship Series Nine.

Thank you for your reply.

I also located a review of the X4D from 6/27 that provides a few more photos.

 

I know but for the NP900X4B the screen is 340nit http://www.samsung.com/us/business/laptops/NP900X4B-A02US-specs

And this is the laptop I originally saw first hand and was shocked to see the garbage of a screen it had on. UPDATE: Today i went into Best Buy and i got to see NP900X4C-A01US (400 nits SuperBright™ Plus Technology) for myself. I can say this, it is an improvement over the NP900X4B's screen. I did notice the screen brighter maybe even sharper colors(could be my imagination) BUT the screen still suffers from poor viewing angles Maybe am asking for too much??? That's what I thought originally but after strolling through the MAC's section and seeing the Mac Pro's retina display I'M CONVINCED this is the type of display that belongs in one of these Sammy laptops. Wow is the retina display a beautiful thing, super sharp, super dense and most importantly, no matter at what angle you look at it the screen does NOT degrade, even close to the 180 degrees, NO JOKE!

So to my point. If the NP900X4D has the same screen as the NP900X4C, which is the indication based on the specs on Samsung's site, then the laptop is just not going to cut it for me. I really do hope the screen is better in regards to the viewing angles and this should not be too hard to do from Samsung's side as Samsung already has a pretty good screen on the 13 inch version (NP900X3B) which i got to see for myself.

 

One of those photos, looking down on the screen from above, gives me the impression that it is the same TN panel as in the X4C.

John

 

Yep my impression too :-( Jesus i just want a great screen on a great laptop, is that too much to ask?!? If Samsung wasn't the only one sporting a sexy15 inch ultrabook i would have dropped them long time ago!

 

I agree it's frustrating - including the fact Samsung has yet to respond to my inquiry requesting they confirm the screen and SSD.

I've got until Monday to decide if I want to cancel the order, but there really doesn't appear to be much else similar - especially in the ~15" category.

 

FWIW - I called the Samsung Business unit to confirm the screen and SSD used in the 4XD - Had to leave voice mail.

 

If you don't get a Samsung SSD, it would seem you have excellent grounds for a return.

As for the screen, I'm not sure what your expectations are. So far, nobody has received a 15" PLS screen and Samsung certainly has made no announcements. They would be blowing that horn hard if they were shipping 15" PLS screens.

The 15" screen on the Series 9 machine is fine. It's better than a lot of screens shipped on millions of computers. It just isn't better than the 13.3" PLS screen, the Mac Retina screen, and a few other high priced options on HP, Dell and other computers. The ASUS screen (from what I've read), also blows it away.

The ONLY reason to get the 15" model is to have 8 or 16GB of RAM. At least that is my opinion. That and the cool silver color.

 

I think part of my frustration has much to do with the lack of response (thus far) from Samsung - rather than the actual screen or SSD. The X4D is being billed as a premier business solution. I currently have 100+ DELL servers, desktops and laptops deployed and am perhaps a bit spoiled by the level of customer service provided via Del (I call, they answer.) I don't think confirming the specs of 2 components is asking very much.

As for grounds for return, I agree but I'd rather know before hand in the hopes of avoiding the hassle of a return. There are a couple other reasons to purchase the X4D including Windows 7Pro and a 3 year warranty both of which are important for our intended use.

 

Samsung marketing and support is pitiful. Support is important to me as well. It's one of the prime reasons I have not ordered any other Samsung notebooks.

I know what kind of support I can get from HP, Dell, Lenovo and Apple. ASUS and Samsung appear MIA.

The first generation Series 9 WIFI problems were a fiasco. Until Samsung takes some of those profits from their other business lines and makes an investment in the support channel, I am not going to support them in my enterprise.

If they want to be an enterprise player, they need to mature. That also goes for their consumer business. Not having a forum area and responding to customer questions and concerns is an indicator.

Being a voyeur here doesn't cut it.

 

I dunno... I think having dedicated Home and End keys is a big plus. Not to mention the easier-on-MY-eyes screen size to resolution ratio. And I much prefer that silver color! But the small footprint and light weight of the 13" is hard to ignore.

 

Yea, those are gravy for sure. Lots of good reasons to get the 15". A PLS or IPS screen would clinch the deal. It's not like Samsung doesn't make any.

 

Just saw this thread, wow there is already a 900X4 D when the 900X4C just barely got released. I was a little puzzled at first and thought it was a typo, because a change in letter meant a huge design change or change in CPU die size or architecture, but seems like this was not the case, which only further complicates their naming scheme. For example:

900X3A - original S9, sandybridge
900X3B - major design change, sandybridge
900X3C - same design, ivybridge
900X?D - same design, ivybridge ??

I don't think just a color change and upping the warranty is enough to change the model number that like. Btw, will there be a 13" version of this silver model?

 

Here and here is your answer.

John

 

My expectations are nothing less than a 15" PLS screen, and yes i don't think they're shipping one in this laptop. IMO the 15" screen on the current series 9 ridicules the product and is NOT fine. Specially, like you pointed out, after seeing many products out there with superior screens. Samsung wants to sell a mediocre product and wants a premium price for it, $2k+, a Mac Pro costs that much minus the mediocrity. Thank you but no thanks. I waited this long, i'll wait some more and see how the market unfolds. They either adapt or get swallowed by the competition.

 

There's a newly-released NP900X4D-A0 2US. Does anyone know how this differs from A0 1US?

 

They differ in SSD and in processor.

http://www.samsung.com/us/business/series-9 Here you can compare each model side by side.

 

I can't see the CPU listed in the comparison but details are available using the links in the first post in this thread. I'm also intrigued that the X4C models aren't listed on that Series 9 page.

John

 

The Samsung website is messed up. It would be nice if they would fix their web and provide accurate specifications.

 

Try it on an iPhone. Most of the links don't work, they almost all take you back to the home page. Frustrating, to say the least.

 

Anyone want to hazard a guess at when (if?) we'll get a NP900X4D-A02UK?

And I'm confused about the SSD in the A02US. Series 9 15” Notebook (NP900X4D-A02US) | Samsung Notebooks now lists a 128gb drive, making the A01US and A02US identical except for processor and $500. Can that be right?

 

There's no trace of other UK versions of the X4D (or X4C) at the moment. The X4D-A01UK get's a mention in the list of products eligible for a free 5 year warranty (but no mention of the X4C on that list either).

The retailers show a 256GB SSD. I suspect that whoever does the Samsung website did too much copy-paste.

John

 

Have any of you received your shipment from CDW or the other USA suppliers?

 

Hey, what would you guys say is the next best thing to this laptop? Something that's pretty similar, but slightly less expensive and not *quite* so thin and light? Any suggestions??

 

Mine's been shipped and should be here by Friday.

 

My backorder shipped today from Bottom Line Telecom. Their original estimate was July 26 but apparently they received several units this week.

 

Hi guys,

I just ordered NP900X4D-A01EE and also expecting to get it at Friday. I think I will make a short review, because I haven't seen any of them online.

Really excited and hope that this Series 9 model will not disappoint

 

Hi van_paulius, and others who have ordered an X4D!

I would be very interested if the NP900X4D has a PLS type panel. That laptop would be perfect if it did!

When you post your review and pictures could you please link to it in this thread?

Thanks!
Aquaflight

 

And for anyone who is not sure how to detect the PLS panel, just look at the screen from above (does it wash out?) and below (does it darken?). If not, then it's probably PLS. However, I won't be holding my breath.

John

 

Keep us posted!

 

Sorry, posted irrelevant information.

 

Happens to me all the time.

 

Yep i won't be holding my breath either but it would be great if i can be pleasantly surprised! So please anyone receiving this laptop soon update all of us on the quality of the screen.

 

Hi guys,

I am very excited, because just got x4d Only played a few hours, so sorry for being not so informative. If you have some questions about this ultrabook, feel free to ask

So, my first impression.
- Display - I am not a specialist, but it does not look like PLS, it washes out on extreme angles. It Is matte, so it is cool, because I hate reflections. From what I see, it does not have a good contrast.
- Beautifully thin and magnessium alloy body looks perfect It is not so easy to open laptop with one hand, bet it is possible.
- Keyboard - it is something new for me, because I always have used keybords with a deep keys. So I need to get used to it, but is ok, I can type almost in a same speed as always. Keys have pleasant space and respond, just they are very thin. Only arrow keys are to small and it is a bit an issue.
- Trackpad - I need to play with it, because I tried to use it, but it gave me not so possitive feedback so I connected my mouse. I will try it later.
- Noise - only on a windows index score it got some noise. I will try to run heavily applications and see how it responds.
- Battery - It has an option in settings to setup battery charge to 80%, like in some thinkpads.
- SSD - only have of space is available after first boot and ~94GB, are available. Does WIN7 requires 30GB??? I do not think so.

I added a few photos:

 

The machine looks great. Wish my new Samsung was the same color but I also like the Mineral Ash chameleon effect.

 

Wow! van_paulius! Thanks for the update!

Do you think you could post a few pictures at different angles (straight, side, and vertical) so we could see how the viewing angles are on the screen?

Thanks!
Aquaflight

 

It's pretty obvious to me already the screen on the NP900X4D is the same as the one I evaluated on the NP900X4B. Not as good as the 13.3" screen, but better than a lot of screens on the market. Especially the 14" screens Lenovo like to stick it's customers with.

The silver looks great. People are going to be doing double takes to figure out if that's a new prototype MacBook Air.

 

I love that silver!

 

Looks good - thanks for photos. It seems like a lot of UK retailers got stock of this model today by the way.

 

I prefer the black. Sit with silver in the sunshine and you can get glare on the screen. I had that problem with the Toshiba R500.

I wonder if the SSD is still the Sandisk U100?

A question for an X4D owner who has access to some accurate scales: What is the weight? I saw some specs saying 1.58kg.

John